Explain what public health is. Explain how Escherichia coli (E.
coli), tetanus, AIDS, encephalitis, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease
are contracted. Then, pick any four of the following diseases and explain
how each one is contracted and possibly prevented:
gonorrhea, West Nile virus, botulism, influenza, syphilis, hepatitis,
emphysema, meningitis, herpes, lead poisoning. For all 10 diseases,
explain the type or form of the disease (viral, bacterial, environmental,
toxin), any possible vectors for transmission, ways to help prevent
exposure or the spread of infection, and available
treatments.

Do the following:

Explain the meaning of immunization.

Name five diseases against which a young child should be immunized
and two diseases against which everyone should be reimmunized periodically.

Using the diseases you chose for requirement 1, discuss the
diseases for which there is currently no treatment or immunization.
If treatments or immunizations are available for
the diseases you chose, discuss others on the list.

Discuss the importance of safe drinking water in terms of the spread
of disease. Then, demonstrate two ways for making water safe to drink
that can be used while at camp. In your demonstration, explain how dishes
and utensils should be washed, dried, and kept sanitary at home and
in camp.

Explain what a vector is and how insects and rodents can be controlled
in your home, in your community, and at camp. Tell why this is important.
In your discussion, explain which vectors can be easily controlled by
individuals and which ones require long-term, collective action.

With your parent's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:

Visit a municipal wastewater treatment facility OR a solid-waste
management operation in your community. Describe how the facility
safely treats and disposes of sewage or solid waste. Describe how
sewage and solid waste should be disposed of under wilderness camping
conditions OR visit the mosquito abatement district
facility in your community. Tell how your community attempts to
control the mosquito population and why.

Arrange to meet with the food service manager of a food service
facility (such as a restaurant or school cafeteria) and visit this
establishment. Observe food preparation, handling, and storage,
and learn how the facility keeps foods from becoming contaminated.
Find out what conditions allow microorganisms to multiply in food
and how conditions can be controlled to help prevent the growth
and dissemination of microorganisms. Learn how microorganisms in
food can be killed. Discuss what you learned with your counselor.

Do the following:

Describe the health dangers from air, water, and noise pollution.

Describe health dangers from tobacco use and alcohol and drug
abuse.

With your parent's and counselor's approval, visit your city, county,
or state public health agency. Discuss how the agency addresses the
concerns raised in requirements 1 through 6 and how the services provided
by this agency affect your family. Then do the following:

Compare the four leading causes of mortality (death) in your
community for any of the past five years with the four leading causes
of morbidity (incidence of disease)
in your community. Explain how the public health agency you visited
is trying to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of these leading
causes of illness and death.

Explain the role of the health agency you visited related to
the outbreak of diseases.

Discuss the kinds of public assistance the agency is able to
provide in case of disasters such as floods, storms, tornadoes,
earthquakes, and other acts of destruction. Your discussion can
include the cleanup necessary after a disaster occurs.

Pick a profession in the public health sector that interests you.
Find out the education, training, and experience required to work in
this profession. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.

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